The actor Martin Freeman has come out to defend his most recent film, “Miller’s Girl”, after the strong criticism received for an explicit scene between him and his co-star Jenna Ortega, who is 31 years younger than him. The film, which premiered in January, generated controversy and debate on social networks, where many users expressed their discomfort and described the scene as “unpleasant” and “problematic” due to the considerable age difference between the actors.
In a recent interview with The Times, Freeman, 52, defended the film, describing it as “adult and nuanced.” According to the actor, the film does not seek to glorify relationships with significant age differences, but rather to address difficult topics that are often stigmatized. Freeman even raised the comparison with films that deal with historical and complex themes, questioning whether it would be fair to criticize actors for participating in them.
“It’s not about saying, ‘Isn’t that great? [un romance con diferencia de edad]?’ (…) Stories about difficult topics can be tainted by association. And it’s a shame. “Are we going to criticize Liam Neeson for participating in a film about the Holocaust?” declared Freeman, referring to the famous film. Schindler’s List.
“Miller’s Girl” tells the story of an 18-year-old student, Cairo Sweet, played by Ortega, and her teacher Jonathan Miller, played by Freeman, who become involved in a complex and inappropriate relationship that begins when Sweet writes a story with sexual content for a creative writing assignment assigned by Miller.
In response to criticism about the filming process of the explicit scenes, the privacy coordinator, Kristina Arjonaspoke exclusively with DailyMail.com, ensuring that Ortega was “comfortable and safe” throughout the entire process.. Arjona noted that special care was taken to maintain the well-being and consent of the actors, particularly given the age difference between them. Nudity levels and simulated sex scenes were previously discussed, with modesty garments and additional barriers used to ensure appropriate distance between actors.
Additionally, it was revealed that there was extensive dialogue between the cast and crew prior to the filming of said scenes and that test audiences were used to determine what might be considered excessive. According to Arjona, various variations were proposed in the way these scenes were shot to evaluate the public’s reaction and identify the limits of what could be considered too explicit or sensitive.
Even the film’s protagonist, Jenna Ortega, explained months ago that the film’s script seemed like a “horrible romanticized story”but also something that she came to experience firsthand and that she could take to the screen to prevent other young women from experiencing something like that.
“I remember getting the script when I was on set in Montreal and it was just an email. When I opened it I found a romantic and beautiful horror. This horrible romanticized story. I remember that Cairo (name of the character Ortega plays) surprised me a lot because of what I had experienced in my career and I think many young girls can say the same,” Ortega explained.
The actress who gave life to Merlina also considered that Cairo was a very different character from the stereotypes of a teenage girl present in Hollywood for many decades.
“I think teenage girls are often written the same way, spoiled and no-nonsense, but Cairo is so smart and wise beyond her years that I was excited to explore her.”
